Rubicon grants

Besides the Vici grants the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) also awarded several Rubicon grants to researchers affiliated with the University of Groningen. Rubicon grants are for researchers who have recently been awarded PhDs. The grant provides them the opportunity to gain post doc experience at an research institute abroad.

Two researchers of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (formerly known as the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences) will become post doc at Stanford University (US) and the ETH Swiss Federal Institute of Technology meanwhile the faculty welcomes two post docs from abroad.  

Nanoelectronics with DNA
Dr H.B. Akkerman, University of Groningen -> Stanford University, Chemical Engineering (US), 24 months
In the near future, nanotechnology will become part of every layer of our society, and new manufacturing methods will be needed for the electronic equipment that accompanies this development. This research project aims to develop reliable nanoelectronics using DNA and its characteristics.  

Development of malaria medicines
A.W. van Zijl, University of Groningen -> ETH Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (CH), 24 months
The development of new malaria medicines is an important goal within the field of medicinal chemistry. The rational design of biologically active substances using molecular modelling of these substances may contribute significantly to this. IspE is a vital enzyme for the malaria parasite, and molecular modelling enables the development of inhibitors for this enzyme. The most promising compounds will be synthesized and biologically tested, hopefully resulting in important new ‘lead structures’ for malaria therapy and enabling the researchers to determine the validity of the rational design of medicines. In addition, more knowledge will be gained about the interactions of molecules in enzymes in general and IspE in particular.

Tickling plastics with light
A.U. Stradomska MSc, Kraków (Poland) -> University of Groningen - Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, 12 months
Plastics hold great potential as electronic and optical materials, for instance for making solar cells. To help to improve their design, the researchers will investigate what happens in and between molecules of these materials after shining light on them.

Interaction between ecology and evolution - Ecogenetic feedback and the structure of ecological communities
Dr E. van Leeuwen, University of London -> University of Groningen, Community and Conservation Ecology group, 12 months
Evolution and ecology influence each other. The creation of new species can have major consequences for species already present. On the other hand, existing species can also prevent new species from developing and/or migrating from elsewhere. This research project aims to gain a better understanding of this interaction by developing mathematical and model-based methods. These methods can then be used to gain an understanding of how our current multi-species communities and ecosystems have developed and how it is possible for so many species to live together.